‘Survivor,’ Season 24, Episode 11: TV Recap

Previously on Survivor: Troyzan resisted all attempts to vote him out, first by playing his hidden immunity idol and then by actually winning immunity. He is alone though and everyone seems to want him out – especially the female alliance led by Kim, Sabrina, and Chelsea.

The episode begins with a reward challenge. It is a, “how well do you know your tribemates?” challenge where you get to eliminate people by chopping their rope. Troyzan has no chance in a challenge like this because everyone will team up against him. He can’t win, but a challenge like this could actually help him because it becomes revealing about how everyone feels about each other. For example, the very first question asks, “Who does not deserve to be here?” Christina is the answer and she does not seem happy about that. Another question hits at Kat for being clueless about life. I am telling you, this kind of thing could help Troyzan… maybe.

Kim wins the challenge and, strategically decides to take Alicia with her on a helicopter ride and picnic so Troyzan cannot spend time at camp working to turn Alicia’s allegiance. Kim also takes Chelsea, a move which seems to really upset Kat. Troyzan stokes the fire further by telling Sabrina, Christina, and Kat that they are at the bottom of Kim’s alliance. I don’t think Sabrina buys it, but Kat might just be clueless enough to be swayed.

While the three women enjoy the copter ride, back at camp Kat is struggling and in tears. She’s furious that she did not get picked to go on the reward and she is frustrated at Troyzan because he keeps on telling her she is being played and is not a good player. She cries that she wants to be known as a good player. The problem is, she isn’t.

Kim gets back to camp and Kat can barely look at her. Kim says winning the reward was the worst thing that has happened to her in the game and she may have made a mistake. Personally, I think Kim should have sacrificed herself and not gone on the reward, that way no one could be angry at her and she could have made one more permanent ally.

Humorous interlude time as a pig wanders into camp. They all have visions of bacon and ham sandwiches, but the women are too afraid of the pig to actually catch it. Troyzan puts only a half-hearted effort into it. The pig gets away, but it is fun.

Time for an immunity challenge. It is some kind of slip-n-slide race with a ring toss at the end. If you ask me, it seems like little more than an excuse to get grease and oil all over the bikini-clad women. All that really matters is Troyzan, who loses in the first round. He is so disgusted he cannot even bear to watch the rest of the challenge, which is won by Kim. Troy knows he is toast. I am sure he will scramble and try to convince folks to flip on their alliance, but I have a hard time imagining he will succeed.

Kim’s plan is to put most of the votes toward Troy, but put two on Christina just in case Troy plays another hidden immunity idol. Sabrina does one of the most foolish things in Survivor history and actually tells Christina about this plan. She plays it off like she is trying to be honest with Christina, but she basically just told Christina that she is low-woman on the totem pole. The only question is if Christina has the desire or ability to do something about it. I doubt it.

Christina seems unsure of herself and barely protests at all about folks casting votes her way. She is a terrible player. She tries to feel out Troyzan to see if he will vote for Chelsea, but it seems so aimless and half-hearted, even he doesn’t want to go along with it. None of this really matters as I remain convinced that Troyzan is toast.

At tribal council, Troy acts confident and continues to try to sow seeds of discontent among the women. He’s a great player and deserves to stick around but it is not meant to be. Christina does vote for Chelsea, but the rest of the female alliance stays solid and Troy is gone. The last man standing is Tarzan, who might be insane and might be a genius. I am not sure which it is.

So, do you think the female alliance will stay strong and vote Tarzan out next? Is Kat a good or bad player? Is Christina as clueless and weak as she appears? Can anyone stop Kim at this point? Leave a comment and lets chat about it!

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